Xiaomi 14 Ultra Camera Impresses, But DXOMARK Ranking Raises Questions
The recently released Xiaomi 14 Ultra has been making waves in the smartphone camera world, but conflicting reviews have left some tech enthusiasts scratching their heads.
PhoneArena's Glowing Review
According to PhoneArena's rigorous testing, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has claimed the top spot in their camera rankings for 2024, surpassing heavyweights like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The phone's impressive hardware includes:
- Main Camera: 1-inch sensor, 50MP, f/1.6-f/4 variable aperture
- Telephoto Camera 1: 50MP, f/1.8, 75mm
- Telephoto Camera 2 (periscope): 50MP, f/2.5, 120mm
- Ultra-wide Camera: 50MP, f/1.8, 12mm
PhoneArena praised the Xiaomi 14 Ultra for its exceptional detail capture without oversharpening, strong zoom performance, and impressive low-light capabilities. The phone scored particularly well in main camera quality and video zoom performance.
DXOMARK's Surprising Ranking
However, DXOMARK's assessment paints a different picture. Their testing placed the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in 13th place overall with a score of 149, behind competitors like the iPhone 15 Pro series, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and OPPO Find X7 Ultra.
DXOMARK cited several issues:
- Noticeable shutter lag
- Limited depth of field in group portraits
- Occasional color inaccuracies, especially in low light
- Slightly soft textures
- Local noise in some indoor and low-light conditions
It's worth noting that DXOMARK did praise the phone for good highlight rendition, low noise across lighting conditions, and accurate autofocus.
Price Considerations
While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's camera system is undoubtedly impressive, its high price has been a point of contention. However, recent deals in the UK have made it slightly more accessible:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra (16GB/512GB): £200 off, now £1,099 (White color only)
- Xiaomi 14 (smaller model): £100 off, now £796
The Verdict
The conflicting reviews highlight the subjective nature of camera assessment and the importance of considering multiple sources. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra clearly excels in many areas, potential buyers should weigh its strengths against any reported weaknesses and consider their specific photography needs.
Ultimately, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra appears to be a strong contender in the premium smartphone camera market, but as with any high-end device, it's advisable to test it personally if possible before making a purchase decision.
Update: Friday July 05
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra showcases impressive AI-assisted zoom capabilities, particularly its 60x zoom feature. While not optical, this AI-enhanced digital zoom produces remarkably clear images at extreme magnifications, significantly outperforming standard digital zoom. The phone's camera system includes a 50MP main camera with a variable f/1.6-f/4.0 aperture, two 50MP telephoto lenses (3.2x and 5x), and a 50MP ultrawide lens, all featuring Leica Summilux optics. Additionally, Xiaomi has reduced the starting price of the 14 Ultra by 500 Yuan to 5,999 Yuan (~$825 USD), making it more competitive in the premium smartphone market.